If you live in Saint John, you know the proposed Beacon AI data centre is a critical issue. Lorneville residents want clear answers about the project. During a recent mayoral forum at the Imperial Theatre, community members expressed frustration with how candidates addressed their environmental and economic concerns.
The Environmental and Energy Concerns
The project requires a massive 390 megawatts of power. The developers plan to build a natural gas power generation facility to produce 190 megawatts. They expect NB Power to supply the remaining 200 megawatts. Environmental impact assessment documents filed on April 10 show the gas plant will produce more than 750,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. This output makes it one of the highest emitters in New Brunswick.
Water use also remains a key issue. Beacon AI Centres and Voltagrid plan to use a closed loop water cooling system. This system requires about 3.5 million litres for the initial infill.
Political Responses and Resident Frustration
Incumbent Mayor Donna Reardon and Councillor Barry Ogden want to wait for the completed environmental review before taking a firm stance. Reardon noted the city created a task force to engage residents and consulted Indigenous partners. She also highlighted the financial benefits. The $2 billion build generates $13 million in annual tax income for the community.
Residents feel this response falls short. Lauren Smith attended the forum and criticized the lack of dialogue. “Two questions for a whole auditorium of people, for a municipal election, is not sufficient,” Smith said. “We should be hearing from the public.”
Chris Watson belongs to the advocacy group Save Lorneville. He finds it unacceptable that residents know more about the development than their elected officials. “We want a mayor and counsellor in place that will actually scrutinize these businesses, and just not be dazzle by the marketing and the scale of promises, and the billions in capital investment,” Watson said.
Mayoral candidate Blaine Harris takes a different approach. He fully opposes the project and promises to halt all permits if elected.
With municipal elections scheduled for May 11, Lorneville voters demand transparency and accountability from their future leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed Lorneville data centre?
Beacon AI Centres plans to build a $2 billion data centre in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park in Lorneville.
How much power will the data centre use?
The facility requires 390 megawatts of power. A new natural gas plant will generate 190 megawatts, and NB Power will supply the remaining 200 megawatts.
What are the environmental concerns?
The proposed natural gas plant will emit over 750,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. Residents also worry about the strain on the local power grid and water supply.
When is the Saint John municipal election?
The municipal election takes place on May 11.
Noise & lighting for construction and operation need to be clarified. Known aquifers for well water need to be identified. Traffic routes to/from for construction need to be identified. Well water samples from a number of homes needs to be documented for quality and quantity before the land is cleared and just before operation of the data centre. Closed loop for water does not recognize replenishment due to evaporation and any discharge of water due to contamination. Will the water be from Spruce Lake or from the City’s treated water supply?